Hodgkin Lymphoma
July 13, 2024
This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Alex Herrera, M.D., associate professor, division of lymphoma, Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope® Cancer Center Duarte
Hodgkin lymphoma, sometimes called Hodgkin disease, is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system. In lymphoma, white blood cells called lymphocytes start growing and dividing abnormally. The cancer is typically found in the lymph nodes, but may start anywhere lymph tissue is found, such as the bone marrow or the digestive tract.
Hodgkin lymphoma is far less common than non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It affects a different type of white blood cell and involves very large cells called Reed-Sternberg cells. The way it spreads is also more predictable than non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Hodgkin lymphoma affects a type of white blood cell, or lymphocyte, called a B cell. B cells make antibodies to protect the body from bacteria and viruses, playing a key role in the immune system.
Each type and subtype of Hodgkin lymphoma spreads and behaves differently, and may need different treatments.
About 8,570 children and adults in the United States will be diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2024, according to the American Cancer Society. About 228,000 people were living with it in 2020, according to the most recent National Cancer Institute data.
A common symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is one or more swollen lymph nodes or lumps near the neck, armpit or groin. They’re often painless and don’t go away on their own. If other lymph nodes in the chest are swollen, they may cause a cough, chest pain or trouble breathing.
Other symptoms may include a high fever that comes and goes without infection, night sweats and unexpected weight loss. These symptoms are key to determining the stage of a patient’s cancer and prognosis.
Some people may also have fatigue, itchy skin or loss of appetite.
A biopsy of a swollen lymph node is often the first step in diagnosing Hodgkin lymphoma. After diagnosis, imaging tests such as chest X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans or positron emission tomography (PET) scans may be used to see where the cancer is or how well treatment is working. The care team may also combine CT and PET as part of a PET-CT scan.
After taking biopsies and scans, the care team will share more information about disease staging, or how much the cancer has spread. Test results, symptoms and medical history are all taken into consideration when defining the stage.
Treatment options for Hodgkin lymphoma depend on the disease stage and the patient’s overall health and preferences. Chemotherapy is typically the main treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma. For some patients, radiation therapy follows chemotherapy, especially if the cancer is found in one area of the body or there’s a large or bulky tumor.
Hodgkin lymphoma tends to respond well to treatment, but if previous treatments haven’t worked or the disease has come back, immunotherapy and stem cell transplants are other treatment options.
American Cancer Society. What is Hodgkin lymphoma? May 1, 2018.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/hodgkin-lymphoma/about/what-is-hodgkin-disease.htmlLymphoma Research Foundation. Hodgkin lymphoma.
https://lymphoma.org/understanding-lymphoma/aboutlymphoma/hl/American Cancer Society. Key statistics for Hodgkin lymphoma, January 19, 2024.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/hodgkin-lymphoma/about/key-statistics.htmlNational Cancer Institute. SEER cancer stat facts: Hodgkin lymphoma.
https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/hodg.htmlAmerican Cancer Society. Signs and symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma, May 1, 2018.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/hodgkin-lymphoma/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-and-symptoms.htmlAmerican Cancer Society. Immunotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma, November 10, 2022.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/hodgkin-lymphoma/treating/monoclonal-antibodies.htmlLymphoma Research Foundation. Hodgkin lymphoma: treatment options.
https://lymphoma.org/understanding-lymphoma/aboutlymphoma/hl/hltreatment/American Society of Hematology. Is there still a need for radiation therapy in Hodgkin lymphoma? February 2017.
https://ashpublications.org/ashclinicalnews/news/1961/Is-There-Still-a-Need-for-Radiation-Therapy-inAmerican Cancer Society. Radiation therapy for Hodgkin lymphoma, May 1, 2018.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/hodgkin-lymphoma/treating/radiation.htmlAmerican Cancer Society. Radiation therapy for Hodgkin lymphoma, May 1, 2018.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/hodgkin-lymphoma/treating/radiation.htmlAmerican Cancer Society. Chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma, October 29, 2020.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/hodgkin-lymphoma/treating/chemotherapy.html
Lymphoma Patient Stories






City of Hope® provides every Hodgkin lymphoma patient with access to a strong network of blood cancer support services to assist with such responsibilities as financial counseling and treatment side effect management.

City of Hope’s developments in the areas of breakthrough cancer drugs, bone marrow transplants and Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy are internationally recognized.

Our leadership in blood cancer research and innovation continually enhances City of Hope’s ability to provide novel approaches to blood cancer care.